Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2024
109. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she intends to reform the administration of the school bus service to allow all documentation in relation to fulfilment of their contracts by bus companies under the school bus scheme to do all their business electronically, rather than depending on either the postal services or hand delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30439/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
The scheme is operated using a mix of Bus Éireann owned vehicles and directly recruited drivers, and private contractors who recruit their own drivers to operate on the scheme.
As part of the operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. There are currently over 7,000 vehicles operating on the scheme.
Bus Éireann and my Department are looking at ways to introduce technology to support the administration of the School Transport Scheme. The role of technology in supporting expansion of the scheme has been identified as one of the key recommendations of review of the scheme “ School Transport 2030”
With my Department's approval Bus Éireann has recently introduced a new e-procurement system to streamline tender competitions. Bus Éireann advised they received positive feedback from suppliers in relation to the benefits the new system provides, there has been significant engagement with operators as part of implementation of this new system.
Bus Éireann has advised they have also implemented an on-line system in place to support mandatory vetting requirements.
One of the key projects being progressed for school transport is the roll out of Smart Ticketing nationally on school transport services. A trial was conducted in the Kells area and it is intended that a further trial of this technology will take place as part of the pilot projects being implemented in Limerick and Roscommon areas for the 24/25 school year.
This technology will provide greater insights in relation to the operation of services. It also has the potential capability of providing further opportunities to utilise technology to support compliance and other aspects of business activity involving contracted Private Operators.
